Thank you

Benefit for Rocco D'Arcangelo: Genoa Deli Owner

Posted by  | May 25, 2011 | 

Diane Jakymec and myself (Kathy DeSanti) would like to take this opportunity to let everyone who attened and did not attend what a huge success the benefit was. The benefit was to raise money to help with out of pocket medical cost for the owner of Genoa Deli, Rocco D'Arcangelo who is recovering from a Astrocytoma (brain tumor).

Although we don't have a final total as donations are still being accepted, we do know it will be a tremendous help. Kathy said, "I was so nervous about the day because the total tickets that were sold kept changing, with a final count of about 625 tickets", I was worried about the traffic , parking and the food. "I should have known not to worry about the food, it's what the owners son Lou and mom (Della) do for a living"! And there was plenty of food, the traffic flow was perfect and parking wasn't a problem. Thanks to the wonderful town of Ridgefield's police department.

We couldn't have asked for a more organized event. Perfect all around. "At least I think so", Kathy said.  We want to thank all the merchants who donated to this wonderful event. We had 54 raffle prizes and about 40 silent auction items. I never met so many people willing to give. This is truly a generous, caring town. We know when it comes to Rocco & Della they are exactly the same,   and that is why this was a piece of cake for us to undertake."I am not usually good at soliciting", Kathy said, but with Rocco behind me there was never a problem.  "I was overwhelmed by the response and he will be once we  discuss this with him".

I want to thank Selectman Rudy Marconi for all his help and support. His office was always willing to help me whenever I called there. He told me how much Rocco means to the community and that it would be a success  one that many would want to help with, and did!

It was so nice to see Mr. Marconi stop by the event. Even if my daughter gave him a hard time at the door for not having a ticket. She didn't know who he was, but quickly learned. Thank you for your donation.

My daughter Lauren and her boyfriend Adam set up the website for the event, with paypal and the email address and without that we could have never sold so many tickets or collected so many donations. After someone paid she would email them a ticket to print and bring with them to the event. She was so organized, everyone's name who had purchased a ticket was on the list alphabetically with the number of tickets next to their name. Thank you Lauren and Adam for all your work.

The entertainment was fantastic, Mr. Steve Kazlauskas who sings a Tribute to Frank Sinatra was wonderful. View his website at: www.echoesofsinstra.com. Outstanding!! Thank you Steve.

Diane and I, would like to thank all our children for their help throughout the past several months.  Della's sister and her family and their friends, Rocco's brothers and their families, all our friends, Rocco and Della's friends and the staff at Ridgefield Parks and Rec. that came out to help us whom without we would not have been able to do this.  And a very special thank you to the employees of Genoa Deli, whom without there extra time to cook we could have not done this. Lou for handling all the vendors, and keeping everything organized for us. Friends of Rocco & Della's, Guido and his wife Toni. Guido who was there rolling meatballs several days before the benefit, helping prepare the chicken and sausage and peppers, but mostly for being our MC for the day with a beautiful opening prayer. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Kathy & Diane